For the loveliest lunches in the city…

It all depends, of course, on where you’re located (L.A. spans a whopping 469 square miles, after all). If you’re near the Virgil Village area, you can’t go wrong by stopping in to all-day, Japanese-leaning favorite, Doto. The casual destination from chef Jared Dowling offers al fresco seating and tranquil vibes, plus a menu with everything from tuna hand rolls to burgers, along with a pitch-perfect beverage program. Azizam is another solid option nearby in Silver Lake featuring homestyle Persian cuisine (try the kuku sandwich and shirazi salad). Don’t sleep on the refreshingly tart iced albaloo spritz (sour cherry limeade) during the summer months especially.

Heading slightly west, chic yet casual bistro Regalade in Beverly Grove is a perfect destination for a croque monsieur or French onion soup. Highly Likely West Adams is another central lunch go-to for chilaquiles, chicken caesar wraps, avocado toasts, and other comfort foods from veteran chef Kat Turner.

In Santa Monica, chef Sandra Cordero is serving up a Spanish tapas-style lunch at Xuntos that’s perfect for a hot summer day. Start with a classic app like gambas al ajillo, order one of her bocadillos like a chicken and avocado sandwich, or let Cordero do the choosing for you with a $39 tasting menu option (who needs to make decisions on a Friday anyway?). 

For an ideal post-work happy hour…

Everson Royce Bar is a downtown classic beloved for its natural wine list and a killer burger. Stop by for their happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m., which features discounted cocktails like a Bee Sting, local pints of beer and wine, and snacks like chicken tinga tacos. It’s not happy hour, it’s Hippo Hour at the namesake Highland Park Italian spot that’s become a neighborhood fixture. Stop by Wednesday through Friday and Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m. for discounted plates like grilled chicken thighs and herbed ricotta tortelloni and cocktails like tiny ‘tinis and Aperol spritzes also. 

Over in West Hollywood, Darling by Sean Brock is a listening bar-inspired restaurant with Southern roots and global influences that’s been buzzing since opening in 2025. But from Wednesdays through Saturdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., there’s a happy hour with bargains on Brocks’ five-fat fried chicken or deviled eggs with bluefin tuna belly and sansho. To drink, bar director Jason Lee offers six martini variations each priced at $13. 

In Beverly Hills, Dante is an award-winning bar that brings Amalfi coast vibes and stunning rooftop views. The indoor-outdoor setup atop the Maybourne Hotel specializes in spritzes, among other aperitivo drinks, plus a martini happy hour (everything from Vespers to Pornstar variations) every day between 3 to 5 p.m. And on the Westside, Santa Monica’s Crudo e Nudo, revered for its ultra-fresh, mostly raw seafood, is offering a daily happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. Discounted dishes like Sicilian ceviche and $8 oysters accompany $10 wines by the glass. It’s the perfect post-stop before a stroll on the beach nearby.

For a supremely satisfying 5 p.m. dinner…

There are myriad benefits to dining early, (one of which might be the possibility of a happy hour that bleeds into dinner), but our favorite is increased access to difficult reservations. Los Feliz’s Wilde’s has been one of the hottest tables of the last few months, but at 5 p.m., a table at this British-inspired hotspot might be slightly easier to secure — just stay on top of your Notifys and you’ll be on your way to toasting over crispy fish and chips and sticky toffee pudding before you know it.

The same can be said for Silver Lake’s Bar di Bello, a Milan-inspired concept from the team behind the erstwhile Gigi’s Hollywood. The chic interiors set the scene (a mix of Italian yacht and Midtown Manhattan), and dishes like yellowtail carpaccio and osso buco di Milanese, paired with giant Negronis, make for the perfect Friday night meal. 

Looking to blur the line between happy hour and dinner even further? Check out Vandell in nearby Los Feliz, a new cocktail bar from the team behind Echo Park’s perpetually packed red Italian joint, Donna’s. Sip on smoked tomato martinis and milk punch while you order a perfect burger, seasonal vegetables and crudos, and linger as long as they’ll let you (assuming you can book it, that is). 

Further west, Sawtelle’s The Mulberry has been one of the toughest tables of 2026 thanks to their delicious Korean-inspired menu (with a hint of fusion) and dishes like Korean aguachile and spicy braised black cod. And in Venice, RVR is the hottest table this side of the 405, thanks to its buzzy Cal-izakaya menu (from Gjelina’s founding chef Travis Lett) and listening bar-inspired interiors, just off of Abbot Kinney. Pro tip: The restaurant recently debuted expanded outdoor seating on the rooftop, making it (slightly) easier to nab a table. 

For basking in golden hour…

Channel your last European vacation without leaving town by posting up somewhere with amazing sunset views (and/or a great Italian aperitivo hour). Smack in the middle of town (and boasting the ultimate 360° views) is Bar Funke, the rooftop restaurant/bar in Beverly Hills from Roman-cuisine whiz Evan Funke. With sunset views, fried arancini, and plenty of spritzes to go around, it’s an ideal place to kick off a long weekend. 

The same aperitivo vibe can be had (minus the rooftop) at Bar Bacetti on the east side, which features snacks like pizza and fried meatballs alongside sbagliatos and other cocktails while you await a table at Bacetti next door. Cosplay as your favorite Old Hollywood movie star at Tower Bar, the iconic poolside restaurant located at the retro-chic Sunset Tower Hotel. Enjoy plates of shrimp cocktail and a perfect cheeseburger while you inconspicuously gawk at the maybe-famous clientele. 

Top-tier sunset views high atop the Santa Monica pier are what you’ll find at The Lobster, alongside plates of inventive seafood (and lobster rolls, of course) from chef Govind Armstrong. And for the ultimate oceanfront Venice vibe, head to Fig Tree, located directly on the boardwalk next to the beach, for prime al fresco sunset views, plus dishes like salmon tostadas and charred Japanese sweet potatoes. 

For when you’ve got to be outdoors…

Outdoor dining is ubiquitous in a city with year-round 80-degree days. But there’s a range of settings — from beachy backdrop to hillside hideaway — all great for a late July summer evening. Baby Bistro’s location makes it as much of a destination as its food. Located in the charming micro-neighborhood of Victor Heights among a cool-kid food court of sorts that also contains Perilla, Baker’s Bench, and Cassell’s, the restaurant is situated within a retro Victorian home, the perfect backdrop for Miles Thompson’s market-driven cooking. The tiny space boasts both front and back patios, the latter of which can fit a considerable 36 people for pet nat and onion bread. 

An historic market building in Mar Vista is now Beethoven Market, complete with a relaxed patio that’s perfect for wood-fired pizzas, rotisserie chicken, and snacks while soaking up the casual, community-driven vibe. True to its name, Le Great Outdoor in Santa Monica is all about al fresco dining. Dinner here is like eating at a friend’s house with dishes like steak with chimichurri cooked on an open grill. The vibe is relaxed and communal — more backyard gathering than formal restaurant. 

In Hollywood, the 5,000-square-foot tropical plant-filled patio at chef Wes Avila’s Ka’teen takes you away to Riviera Maya in no time. Sip on passion fruit, guava, or mango-infused margaritas while you dig into vibrant fresh ceviche, Baja-style fish tacos, and a smoky lamb neck barbacoa. And at Cannonball in South Pasadena, Matt Molina (the chef behind Highland Park’s Hippo and Everson Royce Bar) is known for his spin on classics like burgers, fried calamari, fluffy biscuits, and tuna crudo (plus amazing cocktails). Enjoy the full menu on their charming back patio complete with bistro tables, and a 100-year-old oak tree shading the view overtop for the perfect date-night ambiance.

For when you’ve got to get out of town…

The ultimate summer weekend in L.A. might involve not actually being in L.A. (for a few days, anyway). If you’re heading north to hippie-chic Ojai, make sure to stop by The Dutchess in the morning for incredible French pastries in the morning, followed by Burmese and Southeast Asian dishes (coconut chickpea curry, beef sate) at night. Or hit Rory’s Place for dinner. Known for their raw bar, as well as wood-fired fare like zucchini tonnato and a charred hanger steak, you can’t go wrong with anything on their seasonal menu. Round out your trip with a visit to Radio Roma, the latest restaurant from the team behind Pinyon, who is grinding their own masa in-house for dishes like al pastor tacos and watercress quesadillas. 

If you’re heading east toward Palm Springs, make sure to check out Bougainvillea Fresh Cuisine from chef Alex Hernandez, which pulls on everything from American to Italian to Mexican influences, or the ultramodern Workshop Kitchen & Bar for New American fare like a green chile cheeseburger or cauliflower risotto plus craft cocktails like a Rosalinda (Rosaluna mezcal, bitters, Lillet rose, and grapefruit oils). And for dessert, stop by Hawaii chainlet Lappert’s for a classic Dole Whip or shave ice for the perfect desert nightcap.